Overgaiter



(No Model.)

F. FATHERS.

OVERGAITBR. No. 499,419. Paten tedJune 13, 1893.

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m: ucnms PETERS no. PnoTauTHcn. WASHINGTON. 04 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED FATHERS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

OVERGAITER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,419, dated June 13, 1893.

Application filed January 9, 1393. Serial No. 457,847- (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED FATHERS, of Detroit, in the county of-Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Overgaiters, of which the following is a specification.

In the annexed drawings making part of this specification Figure 1 is a bottom view of the shoe with gaiter used thereon. Fig. 2- is a plan view of the buckle, showing the mode of attaching the same to the strap. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the buckle frame. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the tightener. Fig. 5is a longitudinal section showing the buckle and strap in normal position. 6- is a similar section, showing the parts as arranged when the tightenerhas been turned. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the frame on the line Y Y of Fig; 3.

The same letters are employed in all the figures in the indication of identical parts.

E, is the over gaiter.

A, is the strap. B, the buckle frame. the tightener. I

The strap A is elastic, being made of india rubber, and fastened at the two ends to the edges of the upper of the gaiter or leggin,

thus dispensing with the usual buckle at-- tached to one edge of the upper to receive the end of the strap.

The buckle frame B is a quadri-lateral frame with bars, the side ones of which are solid, and the end ones of which are slotted to permit the strap to pass through and fold the edge over, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. On the side bars are lugs, B, perforated to receive the ends of the spindle, C, of the tightener C. This tightener is formed of the spindle with ends rounded where they pass through the lugs B, and with lateral arms 0 and wings 0 These wings are slightly less in length than the width of the space between the side bars of the buckle, so that they can pass between the same when desired. They are, however, normally pressed to one side by the tension of the spiral spring D coiled around the spindle O, and bearing against the lugs B at one end. The longitudinal play of the spin- Fig;

form is, however, not essential, as the frame may be oval, or round, if preferred.

The strap is attached to the tightener, in the case as illustrated, by punching a holein the middle of the strap and drawing it over the wings onto the arms 0 in which position it is held. Other means may be adopted for fastening the strap to the tightener. The strap is passed through the slots in the ends of the buckle. When it is desired to adjust the length of the strap held in the position shown in Fig. 5, by pressing against the knob C the wings G will be carried out of engagement with the side bars of the buckle, and the tightener be free to turn. By turning ita half revolution it will be brought into the position shown in Fig. 6, thereby changing the length of the strap to the extent of twice the distance between the outside faces of the two wings 0 When the knob is released the spring D will throw the wings back into their normal position of engagement with the side bars.

Under the general term over gaiters I include the longer forms of the same article commonly designated as leggins, the length of the article having no importance in connection with my invention, the purpose of which is to hold the same snugly against the foot by an elastic strain, and also to give adj ustability to the same, in order to suit the wearer.

When the gaiteris put on sale, I prefer that the buckle shall have the strap wound half around the tightener, as shown in Fig. 6, so that in fitting it to the foot the strap may be elongated by turning the tightener into the position shown in Fig. 5, or shortened by taking another half turn of the tightener.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the upper of a gaiter, an elastic strap adapted to reach under the ball of the shoe and a tightener engaging with the elastic strap underneath the sole of the shoe, said tightener consisting of a framework adapted to engage the strap a rotatable cross bar, provided with means for securing the strap thereto and adapted to rotate within the framework, and a spring adapted to force the tightener endwise, into locking engagement with the framework, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A ti ghtener for the straps of oVer-gaiters consisting of a framework and means for holding the strap therein, a rotating cross piece, and means forsecuringthe strap thereto,wings projecting from said cross piece, and a holding spring adapted to force the cross piece and wings into locking engagement with the framework, and a projecting handle by means of which the cross piece can be pushed against the spring, out of its locking engagement with the frame work, substantially as and for, the purpose specified.

3. In combination with an over-gaiter and the strap thereto, a frame provided with perforated side lugs, a rotary winged spindle adapted to move endwise of its axis, notches in its wings adapted to engage the side bar of the frame, and means for forcing the spindle endwise of its axis, and bringing the notched wings into engagement with the side bars, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub: scribed my name in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

FRED FATHERS.

Vitnesses:

R. MASON, M. A. HONEY. 

